Sixth Patriarch and pivotal figure in Chan history. Born 638 in Xinzhou, Guangdong, to a poor family. Received secret transmission from Hongren after composing a verse demonstrating sudden awakening. His Platform Sutra (六祖壇經) established the 'sudden awakening' teaching. All Chan lineages descend through his five principal dharma heirs. His mummified body is preserved at Nanhua Temple.
References: Wikipedia | 中文维基 | Platform Sutra (McRae) | Terebess | IEP | Baidu | CBETA (壇經 T2008) | Britannica (Platform Sutra)
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